Improved single lever remote control device for engines

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a remote control device utilizing a single control lever for both the clutch and throttle of the engine to be controlled, together with a free acceleration lever for adjusting the engine throttle independently of the single control lever. A mechanical interlock is provided between the free acceleration lever and the throttle actuating plate controlled by the single lever so that the free accelerator lever is automatically returned to neutral position before actuation of the engine clutch by the single control lever. Preferred arrangements for adjusting the strokes of the several actuating plates embodied in the device are also disclosed and the device is designed to be interchangeable for pushing or pulling actuation of the control cables.

United States Patent [191 Saito et al.

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data 46-69872 IMPROVED SINGLE LEVER REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE FOR ENGINES [75] Inventors: Masaru Saito; Norio Hasegawa;

Kenaki Murase, all of Tokyo, Japan [73] Assignee: Starting Industry Company Limited,

Tokyo, Japan 221 Filed: Sept. 8, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 287,409

Sept. 9, 1971 Japan Jan. 25, 1972 Japan 47-9276 Jan. 26, 1972 Japan 47-11092 Jan. 26, 1972 Japan 47-11093 Jan. 26, 1972 Japan 47-11094 Jan. 26, 1972 Japan 47-11095 Apr. 1, 1972 Japan 47-38715 Apr. 1, 1972 Japan 47-38716 Apr. 1, 1972 Japan 47-38717 Apr. 1, 1972 Japan 47-38718 [52] US. Cl. 192/.096, 74/876 [51] Int. Cl B60k 29/00 [58] Field of Search 192/.096, .098, .084;

[ Aug. 13, 1974 Primary Examiner-Benjamin W. Wyche Attorney, Agent, or Firm-William J. Daniel 57 ABSTRACT This invention relates to a remote control device utilizing a single control lever for both the clutch and throttle of the engine to be controlled, together with a free acceleration lever for adjusting the engine throttle independently of the single control lever. A mechanical interlock is provided between the free acceleration lever and the throttle actuating plate controlled by the single lever so that the free accelerator lever is automatically returned to neutral position before actuation of the engine clutch by the single control lever. Preferred arrangements for adjusting the strokes of the several actuating plates embodied in the device are also disclosed and the device is designed to be interchangeable for pushing or pulling actuation of the control cables.

5 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures PATENIED mm 31914 SHEET 2 (IF 7 PAIENTED we; 31914 SHEET U 0F 7 IMPROVED SINGLE LEVER REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE FOR ENGINES This invention relates to remote control devices for ships and agricultural machines and more particularly to a remote control device of the single control lever type, i.e., in which a common control lever operates both the clutch and throttle of the engine, and including a free accelerator lever for adjusting the engine independently of the single control lever.

In such conventional devices, the structure is complicated, the throttle actuating plate will pivot in and after the initial arc of control lever ,rotation, therefore the clutch will engage when engine rotation has considerably risen and therefore a device for adjusting it has been required. Further, a latch mechanism for preventing the clutch actuating plate from engaging while warming up the engine is complicated and costly. After idling, the free accelerator lever must be returned to starting position before operating the main lever and therefore, in the case of quick starting, the operation will be awkward.

Further, once such a remote control device is assembled so as to be operated, for example, by pulling a cable fitted between the throttle the throttle and plate, it has been very difficuit to make it operable by pushing.

Further, in such remote control device, a special mechanism or a complicated reassembling operation has been required in order to adjust the stroke and the length of the cable could not be easily adjusted with the cable retainer used for it.

A first object of the present invention is to provide a simple, low-cost remote control device, for example, for ships and agricultural machines free of the above mentioned defects. l

A second object of the present invention is to provide an interlocking mechanism between the free accelerator lever and the single control lever whereby the free accelerator will be restored to its original inoperative position as an automatic result of the operation of the single control lever. V

A third object of the present invention is to provide a remote control device which can be used for both pushing and pulling actuation by simple reassembly.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a simple stroke adjusting mechanism in the above men tioned remote control device.

A fifth object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism in which the throttle actuating plate is returned positively to its neutral position by the operation of the free accelerator lever.

A sixth object of the present invention is to provide a simple cable retainer for the control cables usedin the present device.

IN THE. DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a vertically sectioned view of a first embodiment of remote control device according to the present invention with the actuating cables extending to the engine clutch and throttle shown in dotted lines;

FIG. 2 is a rear bottom plan view of the arrangement of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a portion of a plan view similar to FIG. 2 but of a second embodiment of the present invention;

F IG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of one arrangement of a free accelerator lever returning mechanism;

FIGS is a diagrammatic view showing the mode of operation of the free accelerator lever arrangement of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an attachment plate for a cable connector;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the cable connector;

FIG. 8 is a partial enlarged view showing an assembly of the cable connecting members shownin FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 is a partial plan view of one embodiment of a stroke adjusting mechanism for the free accelerator lever;

FIG. 10 is a partial vertical section view of thcmcchanism of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of one embodiment of a stroke adjusting mechanism for thethrottle actuating plate;

FIGS. 12A to C are detail plan views of certain component parts of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 13 is a partial plan view of a modified throttle returning arrangement for the free accelerator lever;

FIG. 14 is a disassembled perspective view of a cable retainer according to the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the retainer of FIG. 14 in operative position; and l FIG. 16 is a detail view in side elevation of the main. element of the cable retainer.

In the embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2, a shaft 2 is secured to a main shift lever S outside an outer case 1 and a dish-shaped plate 3, stepped plate 4, elliptical plate 5, L-shape plate 6 and completed adjuster 6 are fastened to the shaft 2 with a bolt 7. A clutch actuating plate 9 having a heart-shaped central hole 8 is rotatably fitted with a bolt 11 so as to enclose the outer periphery of the elliptical plate 5 and an actuating cable extending to the engine clutch (not shown) is connected to the end of plate 9 opposite bolt 11 as indicated in dotted lines in FIGS. 1 & 2.

In the throttle actuating plate 10, a notched part 12 is provided and a lengthwise slot 13 in 'which a projection 14 located at one end of the stepped operating lever is to fit is made in the central part. An actuating cable also extends from the throttle plate to the engine throttle (not shown) as appears in dotted lines in FIGS. 1 & 2.

A long plate 15 is fitted to one end of a free accelerator lever A which can be manually adjusted for warming up the engine and a projection 16 is provided at the other end of the arm 15 and fits in the notched part 12.

In the case of operating the device according to this embodiment, when the main shift lever S is first rotated in one direction (for example, anticlockwise), the projection 14 of the stepped plate 4 will slide along the slot 13 and the clutch plate 9 will also rotate by the engagement of the forward end of the elliptic plate 5 with a notched part 17 of the central hole 8. During this stage, the throttle actuating plate 10 remains stationary.

When the rotation of the main shift lever S advances to some extent, the bolts 7 and 11 will be displaced and therefore the forward end of the elliptical plate 5 will be disengaged with the notched part 17. At this point, the clutch will be engaged. The projection 14 of the stepped plate 4 will enter the substantially straight part 13a of the slot 13 and upon further rotation of the shift lever the actuating plate 10 will begin to rotate and will open, i.e., advance, the throttle.

. 3 When the main lever S is returned, the above sequence will be reversed. Further, in the case of the reverse Operation, the main lever may be rotated in the reverse direction.

For warming up the engine, the free accelerator lever A is pivoted manually and, the projection 16 located at one end of the long army 15 will engage in the notched part 12, so' as to push the throttle actuating plate 10 and will open the throttle. In such case, the clutch plate 9 does not operate at all.

If the main shift lever S is rotated while the projection 16 remains fitted in the notched part 12, the projection 16 will be pushed out'of the notched part 12 so as to return the acceleration lever to the original position or the main lever will be prevented from moving so that any error in the operation may be detected. A proper (limit stop not shown) is provided for each plate.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 shall now be explained in detail. This embodiment has substantially the same construction as of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

That is to say, the projection 14 located at one end of the stepped plate 4 engages with the slot 13 in the throttle actuating plate 10 and a long notched part 12 is made in one edge part of the throttle actuating plate 10 which is so formed as to rotate with the throttle shaft as a center.

A projection 16 of an L-shaped arm 15 secured to the free accelerator lever is fitted in the notched part 12.

However, this embodiment differs from the above mentioned embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2 in that a concave part 13a' is made in the central part of the slot 13 in the throttle plate 10 which is expanded at one end to provide a concave hole there.

In this embodiment of the present invention, if the free accelerator lever A is pivoted the L-shaped arm 15 will pivot and the projection 16 will slide within the notched part 12 to also rotate the throttle actuating plate 10 and thus advance the engine throttle. In this state, if the main lever is moved accidentally, the stepped plate 4 will also rotate through the shaft and the projection 14 located at one end of the stepped plate 4 will press one edge of the slot 13 to pivot the throttle actuating plate 10 to its original neutral position. As a result, the projection 16 will be also rotated by the notched part 12 and the free accelerator lever will return to its original position. In this fashion before one end of the elliptic plate disengages with the notched part 17 of the heart-shaped central hole in the clutch plate 9, that is, before the clutch'engages, a series of the returning operations will be completed. Therefore, it is obvious that the engine will not be damaged by engagement of the clutch when operating with an open throttle. By the way, the concave part 13d.

made in the central part of the slot 13 in the above mentioned throttle plate acts to give a higher returning torque to the throttle plate 10 and is related also with the above mentioned sequence.

A free accelerator restoring mechanism according to another embodiment shall be detailed with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 as related with the above mentioned embodiment.

In the throttle plate 10 of this embodiment, a notched part 12 is made at one end as well as the curved slot l3.

The projection 16 on the arm 15 associated with the free ac'celeratorA fits in the above mentioned notched part 12 and the projection 14 on the stepped plate 4 cooperating with the main shift lever S tits in the slot 13. (This formation is the same as in the previous embodiment.).

The forward end of the plate 4 is formed as a substantially reverse L-shaped extension, 19 and the foremost extension of this part 19 is an inclined surface 20.

A projection 21 is provided a little to the left (See the drawing) from the central part of the throttle plate 10 so that, in case the throttle plate 4 rotates, this projection 21 may engage with the above mentioned inclined surface 20 cooperating with the main lever.

The operation of this embodiment shall be described in the following with reference toFIG. 5. First of all, if the free accelerator lever A is operated, the arm 15 will pivot, the projection 16 will move along the notched part 12 and the throttle plate 10 will rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow A. Therefore, the rotational speed of the engine will increase and the engine will be warmed up. In such case, the position of the projection 21 will be the dotted line position in the drawing.

Then, if the main lever is operated, the reverse L- shaped extension 19 will swing as indicated by the dotted line, the projection 21 will be pushed down along the inclined surface 20 by the inclined surface 20 and the throttle plate 10 will return to neutral position as will the free accelerator lever. If the operation of the main lever S is further continued, the clutch will engage, at the same time, the projection 14 on the stepped plate 4 will move along the slot 13 and therefore the throttle plate 10 will operate again to increase the speed of the engine. In this operation, as in FIG. 5, the projection will not engage with the inclined surface.

The case for forward direction of engine operation has been described here. However, it is needless to say that, if the same mechanism is reversely operated, it will be able to be used also for reversing the engines.

In order to use the remote control device according to the above mentioned embodiment for both pushing and pulling, in the present invention, a mechanism as is mentioned below is provided.

As shown in FIG. 3, a curved hole 22 and a concave hole 18 are made at both ends of the throttle plate 10, each being usable to connect the actuating cable using the connector of FIGS. 6-8.

This throttle plate 10 is rotatable within a fixed range with the above mentioned point P as a center.

First, in case a cable is to be fitted so that the throttle plate 10 operates by pulling on the cable, the small diameter part 27 of a connector 25 is fitted in a notch 24 in an adjusting plate 23 (which shall be referred to simply as a plate hereinafter) and the large diameter part 26 is fitted in a hole 28.

The width of the notch 24 in the plate 23 is formed to be slightly larger than the diameter of the small diameter part 27 and the diameter of the circular hole 28' tor 25 enters the part of the circular hole 28, it will be prevented from dropping off by the bottom part 29 and head part 30 of the connector and the plate 23.

The bottom part 29 of the plate 23 in the thus formed assembly of the connector 25 and plate 23 is inserted through the large operating 31 of the curved hole 22 and further the large diameter part 26 is moved so as to beheld in the small opening 32 and is then fastened with a bolt 34 or the like in a screw hole provided in the throttle plate through the hole 33 in the plate 23.

On the other hand, throttle plate 10 is to operate by pushing on the cable plate 23 and connector 25 assembled in the same manner as is mentioned above is inserted through the large operating 35 of the concave hole 18 at the opposite end of plate 10 and further the large diameter part 26 of the connector is moved so as to be held in the small opening 36 and then may be fastened with a bolt or the like in a screw hole located near the other end of the throttle plate 10 through the hole 37 in the plate 23.

The operation of the throttle plate has been described above and therefore shall be omitted here.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3, a curved hole is made at one end of plate 10 and a concave hole is made at the other end. However, they may be reversed or curved holes or concave holes may be made at both ends. Further, even if notched holes are made instead of these holes, there will be no difference in the effect.

A simple cable fitting mechanism is obtained by providing the plate 23 and connector 25 in a space 40 formed by the forked parts 38 and 39 of the clutch plate 9.

As seen in FIG. 8, the width of the space 40 between the forked parts 38 and 39 is substantially the same as the diameter of the large diameter part 26 of the connector and the diameter of the circular hole 28 of the notch 24 in the plate 23. The diameter of the small diameter part 27 is substantially the same as the width of the notched part. In the case of assembling the cable fitting mechanism of the present invention, first of all, a cable is passed through the hole 33 made in the head part 30 of the connector 25 and is fastened with a screw (not illustrated) or the like. Then, the small diameterpart 27 of the connector is passed through the notch 24 in the plate 23 and then the large diameter part 26 is fitted in the hole 28. (This much is substantially the same as described above. Further, in such state, the large diameter part 26 is inserted through the space 40 between the forked parts 38 and 39 so that the notch 24 in the plate 23 may be closed with either of the forked parts 38 and 39 and the connector 25 may be fixed in a fixed position.

Needless to say, it is quite clear from FIG. 8 that, if a different hole is selected in the forked parts 38 and 39 for fastening a bolt or the like, the stroke length of the cable will vary.

In this embodiment, if each of the forked parts 38 and 39 is not provided with two holes but is made, for example, in the form of comb teeth, the number of points of connection will further increase.

The stroke adjusting mechanism according to the present invention shall be explained in the following.

The stroke adjustment for the free accelerator lever in FIGS. 9 and 10 shall be described. As mentioned above, the slot 13 is made in the throttle plate 10. In the embodiment in FIGS. 9 and 10, this slot 13 consists of a curved part 13c, straight part 13f and bent part 13g. However, it shall be added that, even if such formation is taken, there will be no particular difierence in the effect.

The projection 14 located at one end of the stepped plate 4 extending from the rotation center part of the main lever isfitted in the slot 13 in the above mentioned throttle plate 10. The stepped plate has a reverse L-shaped extension 19 which extends parallel with the throttle plate 10 with a slight distance between them.

Further, an eccentric stopper 42 is fitted with a bolt 41 substantially in the central part of the throttle plate 10. The eccentric stop is circular in this embodiment but can be made elliptic or polygonal.

For operating the mechanism of this embodiment if the free accelerator lever A is first rotated, the projection 16 on arm 15 of lever A will slide within the notched part 12 to rotate the throttle plate 10. However, aftersome rotation is made, the reverse L-shaped extension 19'will engage the eccentric stop 42 so that any further rotation of the free accelerator lever is impossible and therefore the stroke may be adjusted.

If the stop 42 is rotated a little about bolt 41 as a center, the engaging point of the reverse L shaped part 19 with the eccentric stopper 42 will deviate, the stroke of the free accelerator lever will vary and the number of revolutions of the engine will vary.

In the embodiment in FIG. 11, a stroke adjusting mechanism for the throttle plate is shown.

In the device according to the present invention, there is provided a stop 43 having a surface engaging with the end surface of the throttle plate as the limit of the rotation of the throttle plate 10. In the present invention, the stroke of the throttle plate is adjusted by adjusting this stop 43.

An engaging surface 45 is provided at one end of a substantially V-shaped body 44 of the stop 43.

Two slots 46 and 47 are made in the body 44. In the illustrated embodiment, the two slots 46 and 47 are not made on the same periphery. But it is needless to say thatthey may be provided on the same periphery.

According to the present invention, if a force from the arrow B is applied to the engaging surface 45, this force will be transmitted as it is to the axis of the first bolt 48 body 44 to the outer. case 1 and will be removed by the second bolt 49 fastening the body 44 to outer case 1 and inserted in The slot 47 in the body 44 in case the body 44 neither rotates nor slips or any torque is to be transmitted to the body.

A stroke adjusting mechanism for the clutch plate is illustrated in FIG. 12.

As shown in FIG. 1, for operating the engine clutch by the remote control device according to the present invention, the dish-shaped plate 3, stepped plate 4, elliptic plate 5, completed adjuster 6' and clutch plate 9 are fastened to the shaft 2 of the main lever with the bolt 7. A wire or cable connected with an engine (not illustrated) is fitted to one end of the clutch plate 9 as already described.

A heart-shaped central hole 8 is made in the center of the clutch plate 9 and has a notched part 17 on one side. One end of the elliptic plate 5 is engaged with this notched part 17.

The elliptical plate 5 an expanded circular hole 50 and has a hole 51 having three or more concave places. Near one end of the completed adjuster 6', the projection 52 fits in any of the three concave places of the above mentioned continued hole 51.

Further, the completed adjuster'6 has a slot 53.

The forward end part of the shaft 2 of the main lever S is flattened on two sides as at part 54 (See FIG. 1) which is very slightly smaller than the slot 53 so as to fit in the slot 53.

For assembling the stroke adjusting mechanism according to this embodiment of the present invention, the dish-shaped plate 3 and stepped plate 4 are first inserted into the shaft 2 and then the circular hole 50 in the elliptical plate 5 is fitted. Then, the projection 52 of the completed adjuster 6' is fitted into any of the concave places of the expanded hole 51 in the elliptical plate 5 and, at the same time, the slot 53 is fitted to the two-sided end 54 of the shaft 2. Lastly, these compnent parts are fastened to the shaft 2 with the bolt 7 through a washer.

In such an arrangement, when the projection 52 is located in the central concave place in the hole 51, it will be as in FIG. 2. When the main lever S is rotated, after some rotation, one end of the elliptical plate 5 and the notched part 17 of the clutch plate 9, which have differentrotational centers will be disengaged with each other. If the concave place in the expanded hole 51 engaged with the projection 52 is deviated by one concave place in either direction, the elliptical plate 5 will be displaced and the engagement of one end of this elliptic plate with ,the notched part 17 will be also changed. As a result, the extent of the clutch stroke will come to be different from that in the previous case.

In order to positively return the free accelerator lever A to neutral position by absorbing mechanical errors or the like, the following mechanism is provided in the present invention.

In FIG. 13, a notched part'1 2 is made in the throttle plate as before to fit a projection 16 provided at one end of a arm fitted on a shaft 54 so as to move bodily with the free accelerator lever.

There is a bent extension 55 near the outlet of this notched part 12 so that the notched part is generally L-shaped as a whole.

On the other hand, there is a vertically extending flange part 56 at the other end of the plate 16..This upright arm 15 flange 56 is provided with a socket 57 with which is engaged a ball 59 of a positioning mechanism One side of the upright flange 56 is curved slightly outward in the illustrated embodiment. With such formation, a better locating effect will be obtained.

The operation of the embodiment of FIG. 13 shall be explained. First of all, when the free accelerator lever is pivoted, the arm 15 will pivot, the projection 16 will move along the notched part 12 and therefore the throttle plate 10 will move in the direction indicated by the arrow C and the rotational speed of the engine will use.

Then, if the free accelerator lever is returned, the projection 16 will again move along the notched part 12 and therefore throttle plate 10 will move in the direction indicated by the arrow D. However, in case it does not perfectly return to the neutral position due to the errors in the design of the notched part 12 and cable friction, the projection 16 after further movement along the notched end 12, will finally engage with the bent part 55 and will move the throttle plate 10 in the direction indicated by the arrow D. Thus, the throttle plate 10 will be returned to normal neutral position.

' If the accelerator lever is further moved in the direction indicated by the arrow D, the play of the cable itself will be able to be absorbed. As one side of the upright part 56 is inclined toward the socket 57, if the lever is released, it will be positively returned to the neutral position by the positioning mechanism 58.

In order to retain the actuating cables connected with this device, the mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 16 is provided in the present invention.

The cable retainer according to the present invention is formed of a base 60 integral with or secured to the outer case 1, of the remote control device and an L- shaped plate 64.

The base 60 consists of two cylindrical parts 61 and 62 and one partition wall 63 and the L-shaped plate 64 consists of an elliptical part 65 and a U-shaped part 66 integral with it.

Screw holes 67 and 68 are made respectively in the top parts of the cylindrical parts 61 and 62. Circular holes 69 and 70 of substantially the same diameter and at the same spacing as of the screw holes 67 and 68, respectively, are made in the elliptical part 65.

For assembling the cable retainer according to the present invention, first of all, the notched part 72 of the outer part 71 of a cable is fitted and fixed in the U- shaped part 66 of the L-shaped plate 64 and the circular holes 69 and 70 in the L-shap'ed plate are fitted respectively to the screw holes 67 and 68 in the base 60 and are fastened with bolts or the like. In such case, the cable will be prevented by the partition wall 63 from dropping downward. According to the cable retainer of the present invention, there is an advantage that, in the dimensions of the outer part and inner part of the cable, not only in the end part of the inner part can be adjusted with the screws but also, by only reversing the direction of the L-shaped plate, the adjusting range can be expanded significantly. Therefore, the cable retainer of the present invention can be used for any engine or cable.

Further in case it is considered that, if the position of the cable is made above, the cable willbetter operate, the L-shaped plate 64 may be inverted on the base 60.

In summary, the present invention has the following advantages.

There can be provided a remote control device which is positive in the operation, without risk of the clutch being accidentally engaged during warming up the engine at higher throttle speeds and is very simple in construction.

There can be also provided a remote control device capable of operation by both pushing or pulling wherein the operation of the main shift lever serves to disengage the free accelerator lever smoothly but also the maximum speed of rotation of the engine during idling can be simply adjusted and the strokes of the throttle plate and clutch plate can also be very easily adjusted.

Further, there can be provided a mechanism wherein the free accelerator lever is returned positively to neutral position and the length of the cable can be easily adjusted.

What is claimed is:

1. In a single lever remote control device for an engine having a clutch and a throttle, which device includes a single control lever mounted for rocking movement on a control shaft movable therewith, a

clutch actuating plate operatively connected to said engine clutch, means rocking with said control shaft to move said clutch plate to engage the clutch after a predetermined arc of pivotal movement by said shaft, and a throttle actuating plate operatively connected to said engine throttle to adjust the same in response to the movement of said throttle plate: in combination, the improvement comprising a throttle plate positioning lever secured to said shaft for movement therewith and carrying a rigid projection thereon at a predetermined radial distance thereon, said throttle plate being pivoted on an axis arranged in spaced parallel relation to said control shaft and having an elongated cam track therein for engagement by said projection, said track including a portion normally extending concentrically with said control shaft axis and corresponding generally to the arc of movement of said shaft preceding clutch engagement, whereby rotation of said shaft during this are produces no swinging movement of said throttle actuating plate, and said slot including a further portion deviating from said concentric portion to receive said lever projection during movement of said lever beyond said arc and thus swing said throttle plate to adjust said engine throttle; and a manually operable free accelerator lever for independently adjusting said throttle plate and operatively connected for bodily movement therewith to an operating arm rockably mounted adjacent said throttle actuating plate for pivotal movement toward and away from said throttle plate and carrying a rigid projection thereon, said throttle plate including a further elongated cam track therein to receive said accelerator lever projection, said track extending angularly to the path of said accelerator lever projection whereby engagement of said projection in said track upon movement of said accelerator lever causes said throttle plate to pivot about its axis to adjust said engine throttle, said throttle plate movement displacing said normally concentric cam track portion out of concentricity whereby attempted shifting of said control lever results in return of said throttle plate to initial position and consequential inactivation of said accelera tor lever.

j 2. The control device of claim 1 wherein said cam track is formed wherein a projection-engaging recess at generally the center of the normally concentric portion thereof to apply a higher returning torque to said throttle plate upon attempted shifting of said control lever.

3. The control device of claim 1 wherein said throttle plate positioning lever has an extension projecting rigidly therefrom and including an inclined cam surface thereon, and said throttle plate supports a cooperating follower in the path of said cam surface to be engaged by said cam surface upon movement of said lever incidental to attempted shifting of said control lever to thereby cam said throttle plate to starting position.

4. The control device of claim 1 wherein said accelerator lever has an integral laterally extending flange formed with a recess therein, and including a springpressed detent for engaging said recess to maintain said accelerator lever in a neutral position.

5. The control device of claim 4 wherein the portions of said flanges adjacent said recess are inclined into said recess to facilitate movement of said detent into said recess. 

1. In a single lever remote control device for an engine having a clutch and a throttle, which device includes a single control lever mounted for rocking movement on a control shaft movable therewith, a clutch actuating plate operatively connected to said engine clutch, means rocking with said control shaft to move said clutch plate to engage the clutch after a predetermined arc of pivotal movement by said shaft, and a throttle actuating plate operatively connected to said engine throttle to adjust the same in response to the movement of said throttle plate: in combination, the improvement comprising a throttle plate positioning lever secured to said shaft for movement therewith and carrying a rigid projection thereon at a predetermined radial distance thereon, said throttle plate being pivoted on an axis arranged in spaced parallel relation to said control shaft and having an elongated cam track therein for engagement by said projection, said track including a portion normally extending concentrically with said control shaft axis and corresponding generally to the arc of movement of said shaft preceding clutch engagement, whereby rotation of said shaft during this arc produces no swinging movement of said throttle actuating plate, and said slot including a further portion deviating from said concentric portion to receive said lever projection during movement of said lever beyond said arc and thus swing said throttle plate to adjust said engine throttle; and a manually operable free accelerator lever for independently adjusting said throttle plate and operatively connected for bodily movement therewith to an operating arm rockably mounted adjacent said throttle actuating plate for pivotal movement toward and away from said throttle plate and carrying a rigid projection thereon, said throttle plate including a further elongated cam track therein to receive said accelerator lever projection, said track extending angularly to the path of said accelerator lever projection whereby engagement of said projection in said track upon movement of said accelerator lever causes said throttle plate to pivot about its axis to adjust said engine throttle, said throttle plate movement displacing said normally concentric cam track portion out of concentricity whereby attempted shifting of said control lever results in return of said throttle plate to initial position and consequential inactivation of said accelerator lever.
 2. The control device of claim 1 wherein said cam track is formed wherein a projection-engaging recess at generally the center of the normally concentric portion thereof to apply a higher returning torque to said throttle plate upon attempted shifting of said control lever.
 3. The control device of claim 1 wherein said throttle plate positioning lever has an extension projecting rigidly therefrom and including an inclined cam surface thereon, and said throttle plate supports a cooperating follower in the path of said cam surface to be engaged by said cam surface upon movement of said lever incidental to attempted shifting of said control lever to thereby cam said throttle plate to starting position.
 4. The control device of claim 1 wherein said accelerator lever has an integral laterally extending flange formed with a recess therein, and including a spring-pressed detent for engaging said recess to maintain said accelerator lever in a neutral position.
 5. The control device of claim 4 wherein the portions of said flanges adjacent said recess are inclined into said recess to facilitate movement of said detent into said recess. 